“Savages”: An Unmerited Misnomer

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“Savages”: An Unmerited Misnomer During the colonist era, Indians were prejudiced, treated unjustly and discriminated. They were called savages because their customs differed from those of the Europeans, when at times they proved to be exactly the opposite. Indians were patient, understanding, and very civil, sometimes showing more courtesy than the Europeans themselves. However, because their culture and beliefs diverged from European customs, Indians were labeled as a lesser race and treated unfairly. In his essay, “Remarks Concerning the Savages of North America”, Benjamin Franklin defends the idea of Indian civility in a very persuasive manner with the use of several rhetorical strategies. Benjamin Franklin emphasizes the point of difference in perspectives to express his deference for Indians. He begins the essay stressing that civility is viewed differently from dissimilar perspectives. He says: “Savages we call them, because their manners differ from ours, which we think the perfection of civility; they think the same of theirs.” The author then proceeds to mention certain qualities in Indian customs that, when analyzed carefully, prove to be more gracious and polished than those of the newcomers. First, he focuses on their politeness in speech, in which they give importance and listen, without interruptions, to what others have to say, unlike Europeans who constantly had disputes and left speakers “hoarse in calling to order”. He also defends the Indian’s civility by exalting their tolerance and acceptance towards what others say, without showing signs of disapproval, disbelief, or refusal. Franklin mentions a situation where the Indians acknowledged the Christian religious views and listened to their stories with respect, despite the fact that they differed greatly form the Indian religious beliefs. The Swedish minister—whom spoke of the Christian
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